New Milton Advertiser 23rd Oct 2020

6 · Friday 23rd October 2020

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Fetch! Dog power put to work bywoodland trust

Planning prof appointed chair at national park

A PROFESSOR of planning has been appointed as the new chair of the New Forest Nation- al Park Authority. Prof. Gavin Parker, who was born and brought up in Salis- bury and now lives in Downton, said he had a “strong affinity” with the Forest. The University of Read- ing academic was selected by NPA members at a meeting last Thursday to replace Oli- ver Crosthwaite-Eyre, a former Official Verderer who served as chair for six years. Prof. Parker has been a mem- ber of the NPA since 2017. He said: “My main aim as chairman is to continue to build the nec- essary networks and collabo- rative relations needed for the work and the aims of the na- tional park to flourish and to be promoted.”

they really exceeded everyone’s expectations.” The dogs are able to work in more confined spaces than horses and on each visit to the woodland they shifted over two tons of timber using converted trolleys. Malamutes need at least two hours of exercise a day and they love to pull, said a trust spokes- person, so they took to their new task without any encour- agement. Biddles and Korso belong to Angela Anderson who said she was “really proud of the boys”, adding: “They worked so well with the Pondhead volunteers and they really enjoyed their days in the woodland.” Larger than huskies, mal- amutes were originally bred by the nomadic Inuit tribe to pull heavy sledges through the snow. They are one of the strongest breeds of dogs in the world but are also said to be gentle and loving, especially enjoying the company of humans. For further information go to www.pondheadconservation. org.uk

Alaskan malamutes take the lead with conservation project

BY ANTONELLA LAZZERI

SCRAPPING free parking in Totton town centre will hit shoppers and low-paid workers employed by businesses there, a district council meeting heard. Currently, the town council pays an annual fee of £28,000 to New Forest District Council to ensure the Civic Centre and Westfield Road car parks, which NFDC owns, are free to motor- ists. Although this covers the business rates, NFDC claims it is losing out on income and needs money to cover mainte- nance, administration and en- forcement. The charges will come in on 1st January under plans signed off by Cllr Edward Heron, NFDC’s Conservative cabinet member for planning and infra- structure. But speaking at the coun- Police praise public for help in foot chase POLICE praised passers-by who helped restrain a teenager following a chase on foot over a suspected shoplifting. The youngster, who had been identified by security staff at Asda in Maynard Road, Tot- ton, was ultimately arrested for class A drug offences. He had run from PCSOs when they spotted him in nearby Wa- ter Lane shortly after 3.30pm last Thursday. A member of the public joined in restraining him until warranted officers arrived. A search revealed the 17-year- old boy from Southampton had a suspected class A drug and he was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to sup- ply, as well as obstructing a po- lice officer. He was released under inves- tigation pending further enquir- ies. Posting on Facebook, local officers said: “We would like to say a big thank you to the mem- bers of public who helped our officers to restrain a male, fol - lowing a foot pursuit. “It’s nice to see that members of the Totton community are willing to help us and we do re- ally appreciate it!” “We know how important, quality green spaces matter to the community and this award celebrates the commitment and dedication that goes into maintaining Roeshot Hill allot- ments to such a high standard. “This has been a particular- ly challenging year for us all. DELIGHTED allotment hold- ers in Highcliffe were among those celebrating a Green Flag award after winning the acco- lade for the ninth year running. The prize given to the Roe- shot Hill site was among a string handed out to local spac- es around Christchurch and the New Forest by Keep Britain Tidy to recognise well managed parks and green areas. David Keeton, a Roeshot Hill Allotment Association (RHAA) member responsible for manag- ing the Green Flag Award, said it was “very pleased”. He said: “This is a great achievement for RHAA and recognises the site as a quality green space. PONIES, deer and rabbits are something you expect to see in the New Forest but now there is a new breed people might spot during their woodland walk. Alaskan malamutes are dogs which hail from the chilly US state but have now been put to work hauling timber for volun- teers working with the Pond- head Conservation Trust on the outskirts of Lyndhurst. Biddles and Korso have been busy at weekends working with the trust which is currently re- storing the largest area of hazel coppice remaining in the For- est. The timber is used to make high quality barbecue charcoal. Previously the trust used hors- es to collect timber and deliver it to the charcoal kiln but when they were not available they

Professor Gavin Parker, chair of New Forest NPA

  

                  

Malamute owner Angela Anderson with project volunteer Charles Cartwright

enlisted the help of the dogs in- stead. Trust chairman Perry Bond

said: “I had been aware of these dogs and their capabilities for a while and a chance conversa-

tion put me in touch with a lady who owns malamutes so we thought we’d give it a try and

Gardeners win their ninth Green Flag

THE Co-op in Bransgore is to undergo a £1m revamp from the beginning of next month, closing its doors until March 2021. Village customers will be served by a temporary walk-in shop while the work is under way – which will see an addi- tional 600 square feet of retail space. The supermarket is taking over the first floor of the build - ing on Oaktree Parade which was previously home to a solic- itors firm. A Co-op spokesper - son said this would be used for storage, back-up chillers, staff area and a lift, enabling more of the ground floor to be used for retail. The store will close on 1st November and is expected to reopen in March next year, when it will run on 100% renew- able electricity, a statement from the Co-op said. Co-op area manager Matt Dawe said he was delighted with “such a significant invest - ment” in Bransgore. However, our green space has provided us all with an oppor- tunity for physical exercise and has supported our mental well- being.” Mark Merritt, chair of the 250-strong association, added: “Our new owners, Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council, are a very active council and a great support to the Roeshot Hill Allotment Association.” A total of 23 Green Flag Awards were handed out in the BCP Council area including one to Tuckton Tea Gardens and Riverlands in Christchurch. As reported in the A&T, The Quomps, run by the town coun- cil, has also received the award. In the New Forest a Green Flag was given to the facilities at Hampshire County Council’s Lepe Country Park, which has a new café with views of the So- lent. Cllr Sean Woodward, HCC cabinet member for recreation and heritage, said: “It is tes- tament to the incredible dedi-

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Steve Godley, David Keeton and Mark Merritt hold their cherished flag aloft

43 Old Milton Road, New Milton, BH25 6DJ 01425 638288

cation and hard work of parks staff and volunteers that, de- spite the challenges that went along with record numbers of visitors, Hampshire County Council has achieved the high-

est international standards for parks demanded by the Green Flag award.” Keep Britain Tidy chief ex- ecutive Allison Ogeden-New- ton said: “This year more than

ever our parks and green spac- es have been a lifeline and we know that millions of people have used them to relax, meet friends, or simply escape for a short time.”

Village Co-op to shut for five months in £1m expansion

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this is such an issue for anyone working in the town centre and for the businesses, I wondered what sort of consultation was undertaken by the portfolio holder?” Cllr Heron replied: “The park- ing order will go out for a period of consultation and we will con- sider responses that are made to that.” It is predicted the move would make around £80,000 per year for the district council. An NFDC report outlining the changes noted the current ar- rangement was not available to other towns. Switching spaces from long- stay to short-stay will encour- age greater turnover of vehicles and create more parking in support of local businesses in the centre of town, the report added. capability which enables our range, choice and availability to improve,” he said. “We are committed to serving the community, and recognise the part that a convenience store plays in local village life. That is why we are introducing one of our larger walk-in tem- porary shops. “The pop-up store will not only continue to serve the com- munity with hundreds of their favourite Co-op products and everyday essentials during the works, but also, because it is stocked from our nearby High- cliffe store, it can cater to per- sonal requirements too.” Co-op’s membership scheme will also operate in the tempo- rary store, while students who are Totum cardholders can ob- tain 10% discount off groceries at the shop. To enable the refurb, Co- op was granted planning permission to replace refrig- eration units and fencing, and install a new front door and shopfront.

A temporary walk-in shop will serve customers while the store is shut

“We are confident that the new-look store will be able to better serve the community,

not only through increased shop-floor space but also with an enhanced back-of-shop

Free-parking axe will ‘hit staff and shoppers’

shoppers could purchase an annual short-stay parking clock from the council, which he ar- gued was “exceptional value” for money. “Residents making use of this clock for three hours once a week would in effect be paying the equivalent rate of less than 18p per hour,” he said. Cllr Heron explained that the council’s long-stay parking clock costs the equivalent of 46p per working day. “I would hope employers are not pay- ing wages at a level that would cause undue distress,” he add- ed. Cllr Caroline Rackham said the charges would also impact those visiting the nearby health centre and a community centre that specialises in activities for the elderly. She continued: “Because

Westfield Road car park is currently free to use (Photo: Google)

ing their wages to compensate for the parking fees they will have to pay,” he said. “Given the pandemic situa- tion, which will continue into at least January or February, these extra costs will deter people further from coming to Totton, which is already under- whelmed.” But Cllr Heron pointed out

cil’s latest full meeting, Liberal Democrat Cllr Matt Kangarani criticised the lack of business consultation and warned the change would have “unintend- ed consequences”. “I’ve got a business in Totton and I employ staff who are trav- elling from Romsey, Southamp- ton and Hythe. Already they are asking me to consider increas-